We have an evening departure for Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul is on the Bosphorus Sea at the crossroads of Asia and Europe.

Thursday, October 2   Istanbul

We have a morning arrival at Istanbul International Airport. We then meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel. We will have some available time to rest and relax. We have an afternoon boat tour along the Bosphorus, visiting both the Asian and European shores of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel in Istanbul. (Breakfast prior to landing. Dinner is included in Istanbul.)

Friday, October 3   Istanbul

This morning we have touring in Istanbul with our local guide. Our touring will include the Roman Hippodrome Square, the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles. St Sophia Church, a United Nations World Heritage site, built by Constantine the Great and restored by Justinian in the -6th century. Our tour will include visiting the Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Residential Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans between the 16th and the 19th centuries. Topkapi is the oldest and largest palace in the world, and houses many of the sultans’ personal collections. We also visit the popular spice market. We later return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Saturday, October 4 Izmir – Smyrna – Kusadasi

This morning following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Today we will visit Smyrna and Izmir, important because the persecution of Christians began here. We will have a short orientation and visit the Agora. We then drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Sunday,October 5 Pergamon –Sardis – Kusadasi

Today, following morning worship, we drive north to visit one of most important cities of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation, Pergamos.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. Rev. 2: 12
The origin of this city is unknown. When the Book of Revelation was written, Pergamos was one of the capitals of the Roman Province of Asia. Among the ruins are the impressive theatre built into the hillside with perfect acoustics, and the remains of the temple of Athena. Other ruins to be included are the Famous Library, the Agora, and the Alter of Zeus.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. Rev 3:1
We continue onward to Sardis, which was an impregnable city until it fell to Cyrus of Persrsia on 546 BC. Alexander the Great founded the Temple of Artemis in 334 BC and Herotodus tells that sheepskins put in the river here trapped specks of gold, creating the legend of the Golden Fleece. The last city we will visit is Smyrna, important because the persecution of Christians began here. Our dinner and overnight is in Ephesus. (B,D)
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Rev 2.8

Monday, October 6   Ephesus

We arrive at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and Paul went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.
Paul visited Ephesus on his 2nd missionary journey, arriving with Pricilla and Aquila. During his 3rd missionary journey he lived in Ephesus for three years, preaching in the synagogue and in the lecture hall. His teaching appeared threatening to the cult of Artemis and those who made a living from it.
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. Acts 19:1-41
We also visit the archeological site which during the time of Paul was the great Temple of Goddess Artemis. We visit St. John’s Basilica built over the supposed burial place of John the Apostle. We return to our hotel in Ephesus for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Tuesday, October 7   Miletus – Samos

This morning we transfer to the ancient seaport by the river Meander, where on his 3rd missionary journey the Apostle Paul passionately addressed the Ephesian Elders on the beach, before sailing away to Jerusalem. We drive to the port of Kusadasi and catch the Hydrofoil across the Aegean Sea to the Samos Island. We overnight on the island of Samos. Dinner is included tonight on Samos. (B, D)

Wednesday, October 8   Samos – Patmos

Following breakfast we leave by ferry across the blue Aegean Sea to the famous island of the Apocalypse – Patmos. Located on the small island’s highest hill, this is the traditional location where John received the Book of Revelation. We then have the opportunity to retreat to a quiet area on the island for personal reflection. We return to the shores with time to browse in the local shops and cafes. Our dinner and overnight will be on the island of Samos. (B, D)

Thursday, October 9   Samos – Athens

This morning we fly from Samos to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens we meet our local guide for a guided tour of the city of Athens. We see the Roman Agora. We stop at Mars Hill, to see the rock where Paul addressed the councilors and philosophers of the day. A short stairway leads to the summit. We stop at the Acropolis, a stunning location, a masterpiece of classical Greek art, with the Parthenon, the Propylea, the Erechtheum, the temple of Athena. We will have time to explore and enjoy the views. Dinner and overnight is in Athens. (B,D)

Friday, October 10 Athens –Corinth – Ferry to Italy

We leave Athens soon after breakfast and drive to Corinth. We will learn the history of this famous man-made construction, which is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Corinth is the place where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, who remained his good friend through his days in Rome.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Acts 18: 1-4
We leave on an overnight ferry to Italy. Our dinner and overnight will be on the ferry. (B, D)

Saturday, October 11   Bari – Pompei – Pozzuoli

Our local Italian guide will meet us at Bari along the coast of Italy. We travel north to reach Pompei. Buried under a layer of ashes and lapilli by a sudden eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD, after 1700 years the excavations have brought to light Pompeii, a town whose daily life of the Imperial Age has been petrified, as under a spell, in its gestures, secrets, in the panic felt by its inhabitants during the last moments.
Visiting the “frozen city” will create a feeling similar to that experience by Paul when he walked through similar streets from this time period. You will better understand the anger of Paul shouting aloud against corruption and perdition of the Romans.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. Romans 1:26
We later proceed to Pozzuoli. This is where Paul landed when he arrived on the Italian Peninsula, the mainland of the Roman Empire.
...and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. Acts 28:13
We will visit the area of the seaport and the Roman Amphitheater in order to get a sense of what Paul experienced once he arrived on the mainland of he “Roman Empire.” Our dinner and overnight will be in Pozzuoli. (B, D)

Sunday, October 12   Rome

And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. Acts 28:14-15
We have morning worship. On our journey to Rome today we stop to visit the ruins of this well-preserved Roman village located along the Appian Way. This is the same route which St. Paul would have taken on his trip to Rome. Before arriving in Rome we stop a in the city of Palentrina. Praeneste was chiefly famed for its great Temple of Fortuna Primigenia, connected with the oracle known as the Praenestine lots. The temple included a spectacular series of terraces on four levels down the hillside, linked by monumental stairs and ramps. Dinner included tonight in Rome Lodging for the next four nights will be in Rome. (B, D)

Monday, October 13   Christian Rome

Today’s touring in Rome is a combination of the most interesting sites which are linked with the life of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Among the more fascinating sites will be the Catacombs of San Sebastian and St Paul Outside the Walls.
Located on the Ancient Appian Way the Catacombs of San Sebastian is where the bodies of Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter were kept during the Christian persecution (253-260 AD) which gave the first Christian the opportunity to venerate the tombs of the two Apostles.
St Paul Outside the Walls is a Benedictine Abbey which shares its name, origins and centuries of history, both joyful and sorrowful with the adjoining basilica. Here the bones of Paul have recently been found. Touring this day will give us a real sense of the spirit of the first Christians in Rome. (B, D)

Tuesday, October 14   Ancient Rome

The real core of Ancient Rome is Imperial Rome from which the great power of Rome made it's influence felt throughout the known world. It is in this Rome where Emperors demanded divinity for themselves. This was the Rome which Paul preached against, in his letter to the Christians in Rome.
Walking through the valley of the Roman Forum the great Rome with its important buildings will revive before your eyes; the Curia, seat of the Roman Senate, the State Archive, the basilicas, palaces of justice, the Temple of Vesta, and the House of the Vestals, the virgins in charge of keeping the sacred fire always alive, and all around temples and columns and arches of triumph erected to commemorate gods of Roman history. Our tour ends with a visit of the Colosseum, everlasting symbol of the greatness of Rome and the stage of historical fights of the gladiators. (B, D)

Wednesday, October 15   Rome – The Vatican

And, of course a visit to Rome certainly must include a visit to the Vatican. From our hotel we drive to the Vatican Museum. Passing through the Court of Pigna we enter the Belvedere Palace to reach the heart of the museum, the Belvedere Courtyard. Walking through the Galleries of the Candelabra, of the Maps and of the Tapestries we will reach the Apostolic Palace, the oldest section of the complex of the Vatican Palaces. We see the Sistine Chapel, where we will admire one of the highest and most magnificent masterpieces of art.
The rest of our day will be at leisure for relaxing at a coffee bar or do shopping in the fashion district. This will be our final night in Rome.

Thursday, October 16   Home

We have an early morning transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. (B, meals on flight)

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For further information, contact:
Katherine Spear
First United Methodist Church
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